Chapter 612: The Fields of Xianghe County Were Taken

Soon, someone brought Zhu Youxiao's horse over.

Without hesitation, Zhu Youxiao swung himself onto the horse and rode forward.

Qi Yuangong followed alongside, advancing together with him.

The two rode along the road at a gallop.

Speaking of it, Zhu Youxiao was somewhat puzzled — why were there refugees here?

It shouldn't be so. There were no disasters or famines at this time of year, so why had refugees suddenly appeared?

Zhu Youxiao was curious.

The group hurried straight toward where the refugees were gathered.

When they reached the front, Zhu Youxiao saw the refugees and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

These refugees were indeed carrying their families and baggage, trudging along with bundles large and small, but they were different from what Zhu Youxiao had imagined — they didn't look gaunt and sallow, nor did they seem pale and on the verge of collapse. Their spirits looked fairly good. Even as refugees, they weren't in the worst state.

The refugees had gathered together, looking terrified.

Behind them, more people were still assembling.

They stole glances this way, their eyes filled with obvious fear.

Clearly they had been frightened by the carriage procession before them and were at a loss. After all, the men Zhu Youxiao had brought were all fierce and tough — every one of them had come off the battlefield, all powerfully built, with somewhat cold eyes.

This left the refugees unable to make sense of the situation. They were ordinary folk to begin with, and seeing such wealth and rank as Zhu Youxiao's, their instinctive reaction was fear.

The road was blocked by Zhu Youxiao's party, and the refugees couldn't get past. They even suspected Zhu Youxiao had some designs on them — their fear was only natural.

Stretching his limbs, Zhu Youxiao dismounted.

Glancing at a civil official who came forward, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Liu Xian, what's going on here?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian hurried over to Zhu Youxiao's side and bowed respectfully, saying, "Young Master, these people are common folk from nearby prefectures and counties, on their way to the capital."

"Why are they going to the capital?" Zhu Youxiao asked with a frown. "There's no famine or disaster now — why would they go to the capital?"

"To answer Young Master, these people are refugees. They're going to the capital to seek a way to survive." As he spoke, Liu Xian glanced at Zhu Youxiao somewhat awkwardly before continuing, "It's said their fields were taken back, and they no longer have land to till."

Zhu Youxiao gave a cold snort and said, "Their fields were taken? Who dares take their fields?"

Zhu Youxiao could hardly believe such a thing — after he had governed for so many years, there were still people who dared to seize common folk's land for no reason?

Was this not utterly lawless?

"They are all tenant farmers — the fields they worked actually belong to landlords," Liu Xian explained again. "I have already made inquiries, and it is largely the same in every case. It is said the court is going to audit and survey the land, so the landlords took the fields back."

"What, they're not going to farm them anymore?" Zhu Youxiao asked in a low voice.

"These people don't know the specifics themselves. But I have already ascertained that they all come from Xianghe County. It's said more people are still on the way here." Liu Xian said hurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao laughed.

But anyone could tell that his laughter was cold.

"How remarkable — I leave the capital and encounter something like this right away. Xianghe County, under Shuntian Prefecture — now this is interesting."

"Under Shuntian Prefecture, and yet such a thing can happen?" Zhu Youxiao sneered. "Let's go to Xianghe County and have a look."

Having said this, Zhu Youxiao told Liu Xian, "Send word back to the capital immediately. Tell the household that these refugees must be received well and settled properly — no problems allowed."

"Yes, Young Master." Liu Xian hurriedly acknowledged, and in his heart he was already mourning for Shuntian Prefecture.

His Majesty had set his sights on Shuntian Prefecture this time. If they had nothing to do with this matter, fine — but if they did, their fate would likely be miserable.

"Is there anyone up ahead who can go back with us?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Liu Xian and asked again.

"Should we reveal our identity?" Liu Xian asked with some hesitation. "If we don't reveal who we are, these people probably won't dare to go back with us."

Zhu Youxiao understood this as well — after all, no one dared to walk off with strangers. Moreover, these refugees were already like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring; even if he forced them to follow, they probably wouldn't dare.

But revealing their identity now wasn't quite appropriate either. Even if they revealed their official status, these people wouldn't necessarily dare to go with them.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said, "Forget it, no need. We'll find people when we reach Xianghe. I refuse to believe that once we get there, we won't be able to find out anything."

"Yes, Young Master." Liu Xian hurriedly acknowledged.

"Alright, clear the road." Zhu Youxiao glanced at the refugees ahead but did not go over.

He was the Emperor — he couldn't simply solve the problems of only these people in front of him. Even if he solved their problems, new ones would arise.

He needed to find the root of this matter and see what was really going on.

Zhu Youxiao mounted his horse and turned back.

Soon, the procession moved, clearing the road to let the refugees pass.

In truth, these refugees could have gone around through the wild fields on the side. It was only that Zhu Youxiao's men had blocked them just now — otherwise these people would have left long ago.

And it proved true that even after Zhu Youxiao's party cleared the road, the refugees still gave them a wide berth.

It was plain to see they didn't want any contact with the wealthy and powerful here.

Back in the carriage, Zhu Youxiao's mood soured.

He had thought that even if there were problems, they wouldn't be too serious — but who could have imagined that just after leaving the capital, before even getting out of Shuntian Prefecture's territory, something like this would happen?

If Shuntian Prefecture was like this, then what about other places?

After the refugees had passed, Zhu Youxiao's procession continued forward.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhu Youxiao lifted the curtain and watched the refugees passing by from time to time, feeling deeply unsettled inside.

Noble Consort Yuan and Noble Consort Tian saw Zhu Youxiao's expression and didn't dare speak for a while.

The atmosphere had been pleasant just moments ago, but now both of them knew His Majesty was angry, so they became even more cautious, afraid of provoking Zhu Youxiao.

The procession soon arrived at Xianghe County — the distance wasn't far to begin with.

At sunset, the group formally entered Xianghe County and booked out an entire inn.

After bustling about for a long time, they only settled in by the time the lamps were lit.

After a simple dinner, Zhu Youxiao went to rest.

The things he had encountered along the way left him in a foul mood, and he had no mind for anything else that evening. He still had to go out early tomorrow morning, so he turned in early.

Early the next morning, as soon as the sky began to lighten, Zhu Youxiao got up.

After practicing a set of blade forms in the courtyard, Zhu Youxiao ate breakfast and prepared to go out.

Wei Chao and the others were already prepared; Liu Xian had arranged everything.

Qi Yuangong also brought men along to guard by Zhu Youxiao's side.

The group left the inn and strolled along the main street.

Zhu Youxiao was dressed like a wealthy young master, idly twirling a folding fan in his hand, looking for all the world like someone out sightseeing.

The street was lively, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There wasn't even a single beggar on the streets — it all looked quite normal.

Zhu Youxiao looked around and frowned, saying, "See if there are any Embroidered Uniform Guard people here. Find them and ask."

"To answer you, young master, there's a Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard two streets over." Liu Xian said hurriedly.

For subordinates like them, the Emperor had gone to bed early last night, but they certainly hadn't.

Scouting the situation, checking the personnel — they had already done their homework on all these matters last night. When serving at the Emperor's side, one must have this kind of foresight.

"Then let's go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard office." Zhu Youxiao said directly.

He had no patience for playing at incognito inspections or going around asking random people — he would simply go straight to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and ask.

"Yes, young master." Everyone said in unison.

For men like them, whatever the Emperor said was final; they needed no opinions of their own.

The group soon arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard office.

Xianghe County was not a large county, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard office here was nothing grand — it looked like an ordinary courtyard.

A placard by the entrance read "Embroidered Uniform Guard Office," and the surrounding streets were empty; no one was willing to walk past here.

Clearly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's reputation was still as foul as ever, and even by now it hadn't turned around. But that didn't matter — they didn't need too good a reputation.

Arriving at the entrance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard office, Wei Chao stepped forward, flashed a token at the guards at the door, and said, "Have your Centurion come out and answer questions."

The two Embroidered Uniform Guards standing at the door exchanged a glance, then both looked at the plaque. Their faces went white and they shuddered.

There were few words on the plaque, but they said plenty.

Southern Provost Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Those few words said more than enough.

Within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Northern Provost Office handled external matters, while the Southern Provost Office handled internal affairs. Any Embroidered Uniform Guard involved in violations, lawbreaking, or corruption all fell under the Southern Provost Office's jurisdiction.

For the lower-ranking Embroidered Uniform Guards, that plaque carried tremendous deterrent power.

"Sir, please wait a moment." The two Embroidered Uniform Guards at the door hastily squeezed out strained smiles and said very respectfully, "We'll report to him for you right away."

With that, one of the guards turned and ran inside, taking the stairs two or three at a time.

Inside the Embroidered Uniform Guard office.

Centurion Ma Qiandao was sitting in a chair, slowly sipping tea.

Seeing the gatekeeper run in panting and breathless, Ma Qiandao said impatiently, "What a sight! Look at you — what are you running for? Someone in your family die?"

The gatekeeper was left speechless by the rebuke, but still said, "Sir, something's happened. A group of people has arrived at the door. The one leading them carries the plaque of the Southern Provost Office and wants to see you."

Hearing this, Ma Qiandao choked on his mouthful of tea and leapt straight up from his chair.